What is gender, and why is it a development issue? How can development projects and programmes take gender-related issues into account? This book explains how and why women are disadvantaged, not only by social and economic structures but also by many current development initiatives. But all over the world, women are working together to overcome barriers and oppressive structures, and to achieve genuine development for themselves and their communities. The book gives many examples from Oxfam's experience of successful action by women's organisations, and offers a clear message of hope for a future where gender-determine divisions will no longer disadvantage half the world.